Blogger and Activist Francis Gaitho has been released on a Ksh30,000 bail in a Kiambu court where he was charged with posting false information.
Following the ongoing protests against the Finance Bill 2024, Gaitho has been vocal on his social media platforms where he has also called for the resignation of President William Ruto and general accountability of the government. Some of his posts have since been termed controversial for eliciting criticism.
On Monday, the Director of Criminal Investigations Amin Mohamed had called out Francis Gaitho for discrediting their investigations into the recent Kware dump site murders where he had alleged that the DCI issued a misleading statement and that they had gotten the name of the prime suspect wrong.
He later on share names, images and descriptions of a person identified as Jairus Onkundi claiming he was the suspect.
Gaitho, who later presented himself at the DCI Headquarters in Kiambu was charged for computer misuse . Gaitho has since denied this charges but this case underscores the importance of understanding cybersecurity measures and the legal frameworks governing digital conduct in Kenya.
It is imperative for the government, judiciary, and civil society to work together in creating a secure and conducive environment for digital activities. This includes updating legal frameworks, raising public awareness about cyber hygiene, and ensuring that the rights of individuals are protected.